Handle coupling and process op constructing the same



May 26, 1931. Q 1,807,559

HANDLE COUPLING 'AND PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING THE SAME Filed Nov. 25, 1927 Patented May 26, 1931 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE CURTISS F. SMITH, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE FULLER BRUSH COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CGNNECTICUT, A GORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT HANDLE COUPLING AND PROCFS$ OF GONSTRUCTING THE SAME Application filed November 2-3, 1927. Serial No. 235,302.

This invention relates to that class of de- Vices that are employed to firmly connect two pieces of material extending in line one with another, the coupling being particularly adapted for connecting two handle members, as of a broom or similar article, to provide a handle extension, and an object of the invention, among others, is to simplify the construction of the coupling, and further, to provide a coupling that may be readily changed as to size to fit larger handles as necessity may require. 1

One form of device embodying the invention and in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained, is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of two handle members shown as connected with this improved coupling.

Figure 2 is a view in central longitudinal section through the same.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but looking from a point located at right angles to the point of view of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view in section on a plane denoted by the dotted line H of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail end view of a partially formed blank illustrating its shape at a preliminary stage in' the process of its construction.

Figure 6 is a similar view illustrating an advanced step in the process of construction.

Figure 7 is a detail View illustrating the manner of enlarging the blank.

This improved coupling is preferably formed from sheet metal cut or stamped to the proper shape in a flat condition to form ablank. This blank from which the coupling is formed is generally of rectangular shape and is provided with two pairs of ears, the members of each pair of ears projecting from opposite edges preferably between the lengthwise center of the blank and the ends thereof in the flat condition of the blank. The blank is then formed, in a preliminary step and as by'means of dies, to approximately the shape shown in Figure 5, an important feature of which resides in a groove 8 extending lengthwise of the blank dies,

at substantially its crosswise center, the bottom of this groove being preferably fiat. Socket recesses 9, preferably of curved shape in cross section, are located on thatface of the partially formed blank 7 opposite the groove 8, extending lengthwise of the blank on opposite sides of the groove 8, and the ears hereinbefore referred to are, in this preliminary forming operation, bent into a grooved shape, as shown in Figure 3, to constitute clamping ears 10 projecting from opposite sides of the partially formed blank, as shown in Figure 5.

The blank thus formed and of theshape shown in Figure 5 is produced by means of as hereinb'efore mentioned, having properly formed recesses to produce the desired shape and in a manner that will be readily understood, and for which reason a further and detailed description is omitted herein.

As a further step in the operation a tool or punch 11 is applied to the blank 7 that is supported as upon a die 12 having a groove 13 located opposite the punch. This die and punch may comprise a port-ion of a press of any well known construction, the operation of which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and for which reason fur- 'ther illustration and description is omitted herein.

In the operation of making the coupling the flat blank 7 hereinbefore referred to having been formed to the shape shown in Figure 5, as by means of dies and as hereinbefore described, is placed upon the die 12 and the punch 11 is forced against the blank, pressing the flat bottom of the groove 8 in the blank into the groove 13 in the die 12, and as shown in Figure 6, thereby creating a rib 14: extending along the coupling at a point substantially diametrically opposite the space between the adjacent edges of the partially formed coupling. The formation of this rib produces a groove 15 extending lengthwise along the coupling, which groove comprises the inner surface of the rib 14. In this operation opposite sides of the blank '7 will be closed toward each other by the action of the punch and die substantially to the position shown in Figure 6. VVhe-n the blank has been given the shape shown in Figure 6 it is a comparatively easy matter to complete the substantially circular form of the coupling so that it will fit the members to be united, as the handle 16 of a broom and an extension 17, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.

In a preliminary step in the formation of the blank 7 ribs 18 are created at such positions that they will lie substantially diametrically opposite each other when the blank is secured to the handle sections. These ribs 18 are for the purpose of being located between the sections of the wooden handles, or of being otherwise formed and positioned to provide stops to separate the ends of the handle sections. It has been determined that these ribs also aid in preventing turning of the ends of the handle sections with respect to the coupling.

In its completed form threaded studs 19 are secured to the ears 10 at one edge of the coupling and in position to extend through holes in the ear at the opposite edge of the coupling, and a nut 20 may be used to draw opposite edges of the coupling together and firmly secure it to the handle sections, and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.

It is common practice, in the manufacture of brooms, to provide a cord 21 in a hole extending through the end of the handle, said cord being for the purpose of hanging the broom, and the groove 15 provides a space within which said cord on one side of the handle may be disposed, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, wherein the cord on the opposite side of the handle is shown as located in the slot between the adjacent edges of the coupling and when the handle 16 of the broom has the extension 17 secured to 1t.

It often happens that the coupling will be required foruse in connection with handles and extensions of different sizes, and the rib 14 with 1ts contained groove 15 is of particular advantage in such cases. The coupling being formed to fit the smaller sizes of handles and extensions, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, if it be desired to use couplings in connection with handles and extensio ns of larger sizes all that is required is to straighten But the rib 14: to such extent as will enlarge the coupllng to any size desired and to any range between the smaller size embodying the rib 14 and the larger size whereby such rib is completely eliminated. This may be done as by means oi. a die 22 and forming punch 23 in the manner illustrated in Figure 7.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have described the principles of operation of my invention, together with the device which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the device shown is only illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set out.

I claim:

1. A coupling for broom handles anc similar articles, said coupling being formed from a single blank of sheet material and comprising a longitudinally split tubular member open at opposite ends; and an enlarging element formed independently of the portions forming the split and spaced therefrom circumferentially of said member to be bent to change the size of the coupling.

2. A coupling for broom handles and similar articles, said coupling being formed from a single blank of sheet material and comprising a longitudinally split tubular member open at opposite ends, and a ribbed and grooved enlargement extending on one side of the coupling circumferentially spaced from and forming no part of the portions forming the split and arranged to be bent to change the size of the coupling.

3. A coupling for broom handles and similart articles, said coupling being formed from a single blank of sheet material and comprising a tubular member open at opposite ends and along one side, an enlarging element ex ending along the side of the coupling opposite said side opening and aranged to be bent to change the size of the coupling, and means for compressing the coupling around handle members.

1. A coupling for broom handles and similar articles, said coupling being formed from a single blank of sheet material and comprising atubular member open at opposite ends and with a slot extending along one side, ears located at opposite edges of said slot, clamping members engaged with said ears, and an enlarging grooved rib extending along the coupling substantially opposite said slot.

5. The method of forming a coupling for broom handles and similar articles that consists in providing a blank with lengthwise sockets on one side and a lengthwise extending groove on the opposite side of the blank from and between said sockets by bending a rectangular blank of sheet material by pressure until the lengthwise extending grooved and socketed conformation and shape is obtained, and then upsetting the grooved por tion in the opposite direction by subjecting the portion of the blank forming said groove to pressure until the desired shape is obtained.

6. A coupling for broom handles and similar articles, said coupling comprising a onepiece split tubular body member open at opposite ends, a plurality of parallel grooved ears projecting from each side of said split, and an enlarging element formed independently of and spaced from the portion forming the split to permit bending to change the size of the coupling without distorting the ears.

7. A coupling for broom handles and simi- 

